MOVING AGAIN

Yup, you read it right. I'll save the explanation for later. I'm still fixing it up but my new online home will be here.

TWO NEW HOMES

As I've mentioned in my previous post, I'll be moving. You'll find my mommy stories here and all my random ramblings and whatnots here.

See you there :D

MOVING ON AND MOVING OUT

Sometime last week, I was supposed to finally post an update when the computer went bonkers and froze. So my entire post was gone. And then I got lazy to do it all over again because it wouldn't sound the same anymore. (Oh, the post was saved pala :P)

So anyway, since I got pregnant, I've been planning on doing a baby blog. But for some reason, I never really got around to doing it.

But now that I'm mostly at home, I think it's the perfect time to catch up and post regularly. And I also decided to try a different host for a change. So just in case there are pretty personal posts, I can limit those to my friends :)

Watch out for me here: http://mom-oirs.livejournal.com :)

I won't take credit for that link. Saw that in BabyCenter.com :) Cute, no?

I might not post here anymore, but I'll keep this blog for the links. I've been here for four years already. I sometimes cringe when I read my really old posts. But everything that's written here has been part of my life. So it'll be good to look back now and then :)

To those who have been reading this blog, it's been great, though some of you I may not know :)

Now, I move on :)

CHANGES

It's been AGES since I last wrote on this blog. I mean, really wrote. I used to post updates quite regularly. But I guess that was because I was glued to the computer for most of my waking hours and at least five times a week.

Things are different now, though. Very different.

I used to tell myself before that when I have my first child, if we could handle it financially, then I'd rather stay at home with him or her so I could be more hands on and our baby wouldn't grow up closer to the yaya compared to us. Well, at least I got that :) Though God knows that I would rather have a totally different situation. But then again, maybe it was His way of making me stay at home.

So now, I'm basically a full-time mommy (with the help of a yaya) and a part-time racketeer, doing freelance features writing and a couple other projects. Both to keep me busy and so we have supplemental income.

One of the things I really, really miss though is just being able to go out and be with my friends. I love my Matthew to bits; I really, really do :) But when you read all those books and sites, they'll tell you that you need time for yourself. Lest you want to slip into post-partum depression, which I thought I was going through several weeks back.

Having a baby changes absolutely everything.

You're now completely responsible for a life other than your own. Your patience is stretched to the absolute limit. If you think you're patient enough, try putting yourself in the shoes of someone who has to wake up several times during the night for feedings and then having a baby who's unable to go back to sleep. You'll seriously end up crying with the lack of sleep that you're getting as well. Add to that the other million things that you worry about constantly. In my case, a couple of things would have to be the finances (wait, who doesn't worry about that anyway?), which we have to be seriously managing because with Matthew's present condition, we always have to be ready; and the family not being together because Mark has to work abroad for now and we can't really be with him as much as we want to because Matthew's just not ready.

But what they say is true. Despite all the billion and one things that you worry about, day in and day out, one little smile from your baby washes all of those away, even for just a moment :) They don't care about money and other material things. Their lives are fairly simple. They eat, burp, pee/poop, sleep, and play. All they really need is someone who will love them unconditionally and who will take care of them.

And that is the most fulfilling job anyone will ever have :)

P.S.
If this post didn't make any sense or if my thoughts are jumpy, bear with me. It's my blog anyway :P

I'M BELLE!

Nicked from Lynn, Kat, and Macy :)

Find Out Which Disney Girl You Are! created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Belle Dancing furniture, singing spoons, and a man who needs a serious haircut - sound familiar? Well it should! Belle was a very independent spirit with alot on her mind, much like you are! But in life, there is a needed balance - learn when to speak your mind, and when to hold it back. Sometimes offending someone isn't the best way to go! Belle 83% Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) 75% Snow White 71% Tinkerbell 67% Jane 63% Esmerelda 63% Pocahontas 63% Jasmine 50% Alice 46% Cinderella 42% Mulan 33% Ariel 33% Violet 29% Megara 25%

THE YEAR THAT WAS

I did this survey last year and the year before and I'm still doing it even if I'm a couple of months late :p Pictures to follow :)

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What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
[2007] Get pregnant, get married, and gave birth! :) Oh, and I've never had to be in a long-distance relationship before. It's tough, I tell you. It's really no joke. It takes a whole lot of trust and open lines of communication. You gotta learn to be creative with regard to expressing how you feel since you can't be physically together. Oh, and I got hospitalized too. Not that I did it on purpose, of course. I was admitted in the first week of May, if I remember correctly. Diagnosis: acute drug-induced gastritis. No, not that kind of drug! And yes, finally being able to go to Bora! Went with my family to celebrate my parents' 25th wedding anniversary :)

[2006] Resigned and said goodbye to dear friends from that office, did freelance writing for a couple of months, finally totally cut myself off from my past, learned how to completely and truly trusting someone, and went on my first out-of-town trip :)

Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
[2007] Uh, I don't think I made any resolutions for the year...

[2006] Hmmm, let's see. I really didn't make a list of resolutions last year. But I remember that one of my goals is to finally travel...and I did! For my birthday :) And I also said that I'd figure out what I wanted to do career-wise...and I did too! Because come early next year, I'll be starting a new phase and taking on bigger responsibilities :)

Did anyone close to you give birth?
[2007] ME! And one of my good friends, Criselda, who gave birth in Dubai last October 13 to Noah. And EJ also, who gave birth to Preston Elijah. And Monica who gave birth to Santiago Andres last May 9. And my cousin, Marge, who gave birth to Nikki in October. BABY BOOM!

[2006] Nope, none.

Did anyone close to you die?
[2007] Nope, no one.
[2006] None too.

What countries did you visit?
[2007] None. I wasn't really allowed to travel anyway. And I won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Perhaps in a couple of years, I'll have a different answer to this question :p

[2006] None. I'm hoping that I'd get to go out of the country next year ;) That's one of our plans.

What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
[2007] Financial stability, lots of work opportunities (especially since I just recently resigned and now officially a WAHM or work-at-home mom), time managements skills so I can spend as much time as possible with our growing little boy and at the same time work on projects and spend time for myself :)

[2006] Still everything on my gadget wish list and more opportunities to travel! And I'd love to have a kick-ass magazine ;)

What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
[2007] May 16, when I found out I was pregnant. July 10, when I found out we were having a baby boy, which is what we really wanted :) December 5, when Mark and I got legally married. December 19, when I finally gave birth to our little angel, Matthew Benjamin :)

[2006] Oh, a specific date? LOTS! But off the top of my head, it would have to be the December 24. I had Christmas lunch with his family, then went home to hear Mass with mine, and then waited for Noche Buena. I just had my best Christmas EVER this year :)

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
[2007] Being able to go through that devastating time when my promotion was actually cancelled, still staying smoke-free (almost a year and a half already!), being in a long-distance relationship, and carrying my son for 40 weeks! :)

[2006] My promotion!!! :) Oh, and I finally, FINALLY quit smoking. It's been four months already! Yaaay! :)

What was your biggest failure?
[2007] Gaining TONS of weight while I was pregnant! I have to lose all of this baby weight this year...

[2006] Hmmm. Letting my emotions get the best of me. I can be really impatient and short-tempered, and those do nothing for any relationship.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
[2007] During my first trimester, when I didn't know I was pregnant already, I had allergic reactions to the summer heat, slight urinary tract infection, and acute drug-induced gastritis! No, not because of that kind of drug, silly. Because of all the meds that were given to me previously. Then, I almost had gestational diabetes in my second trimester. And after I finally gave birth, I had post-pregnancy eclampsia.

[2006] I got sick sometime in September. But thanks to that, I got started on quitting smoking :)

What was the best thing you bought?
[2007] A home pregnancy test :)
[2006] Not really a tangible thing. But our mini vacations were just the best :)

Whose behavior merited celebration?
[2007] Mark, for the way he handled being away from his family and friends, being away from me while I was pregnant with his son. My parents, his parents...basically both our families, for taking good care of me while I was with their first grandchild and nephew :)

[2006] No answer.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
[2007] A certain someone, who need not be mentioned. I can't believe how scheming some people can get. Well, I do. And I know how people can lie to your face. Because I used to do both. But did she really thing I wouldn't find out? Did she think that I would just accept whatever what was thrown to me and not get to the bottom of everything? She clearly underestimated me.

[2006] No answer.

Where did most of your money go?
[2007] Pre-natal check-ups and examinations, pre-natal vitamins, maternity clothes, baby items, and the delivery itself!

[2006] Gas, toll, parking, and a few mini vacations :D

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
[2007] Giving birth to our baby boy and finally seeing Mark after eight long months! :) Oh, and finally going to Bora!

[2006] Both our birthdays! :) And our first Christmas together. And New Year's!

What song(s) will always remind you of 2007?
[2007] Anything from the Baby Einstein albums :)

[2006] Brighter Than Sunshine by Aqualung and Safe by Bonnie Bailey.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
[2007]
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER most definitely! :)
ii. thinner or fatter? Definitely FATTER! :( But just wait 'til I get my pre-pregnancy body back...
iii. richer or poorer? Uh, poorer financially because of a few hospitalizations we had to go through. But definitely richer in terms of everything else :)

[2006]
i. happier or sadder? HAPPIER!!! :)
ii. thinner or fatter? I'd like to believe thinner, even by just a tiny bit :p
iii. richer or poorer? Ummm, richer?

What do you wish you'd done more?
[2007] I wish I controlled myself more so I didn't gain so much weight! But you know what's really ironic? I was actually watching what I was eating, and would just give in to cravings once in a while!

[2006] I wish I'd saved up some more so we could've gone on more trips! :)

What do you wish you'd done less of?
[2007] Same answer as last year: less eating!
[2006] Uh, less pigging out? Hehehe :p

What was your favorite TV program?
[2007] Still Amazing Race Asia, CSI, Tyra, Oprah, Grey's Anatomy, The OC, One Tree Hill, Gilmore Girls (reruns on Studio 23!)

[2006] Amazing Race Asia! And CSI, Tyra, The OC, One Tree Hill...

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
[2007] There's one particular person. But I try not to hate. I still don't talk to her though.

[2006] A handful of people come to mind. But honestly, I'd rather not waste my time on hating them. I've got my own life to live :)

What was the best book you read?
[2007] Oh, hmmm. The 7th in the Harry Potter series! :)
[2006] Still reading it. Why Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps :)

What was your greatest musical discovery?
[2007] Baby Einstein :p
[2006] More house music? ;)

What did you want and not get?
[2007] I wanted to give birth the natural way...vaginal delivery with no anesthesia. But because I was oligohydramnios (had low amniotic fluid levels), I had to undergo a cesarean operation.

[2006] Still the stuff on my gadget wish list :p And yes, I've got 2007 to make up for it. And at least I got to go on my first out-of-town trip! I wouldn't trade any gadget for that :)

What was your favorite film of this year?
[2007] The entire time that Mark wasn't here, I only watched TWO movies! Norbit with Mau and Tris, on the day that we brought Mark to the airport. And Harry Potter 5 with my siblings.

[2006] Happy Feet! Need I say more?

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
[2007] Turned 25, and spent the day at the hospital! :p Mark surprised me with flowers and balloons at midnight, then we had cake that was left over from the hospital dinner. We spent the day trying to get me discharged, so I could at least be at home for the remainder of the day.

[2006] I went on an early birthday leave and spent my time on the beach :) I'll save my kwento. I haven't had the chance to do my birthday-at-the-beach post :p Then I had dinner with the family at Red Crab in Alabang.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
[2007] Nothing could be more satisfying than giving birth to your first child :)

[2006] More time! This year, I seriously felt that I can never have enough time on my hands, both for work and for myself.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
[2007] Maternal! Still comfort before style.
[2006] Still the same as last year's :p

What kept you sane?
[2007] My growing little angel inside my tummy :)

[2006] Or rather WHO kept me sane. Our late-afternoon merienda breaks with long relaxed walks around the busy Ortigas area really helps us unwind and de-stress, especially when we're having one of those days at work :)

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
[2007] Oh gosh, I don't think I paid attention to any celebrity that much.
[2006] Oh, hmmm. None really.

What political issue stirred you the most?
[2007] None again. I think it's safe to say that I'm quite apathetic.
[2006] None.

Who did you miss?
[2007] Who else?! Mark, of course! After seeing each other at least five days a week, having lunch and late-afternoon merienda together, going out on weekends, it's tough having to be in a long-distance relationship, especially when you find out you're pregnant and all you want is for both of you to experience everything together.

[2006] My girls. I haven't been able to spend as much time with them as I would've wanted.

Who was the best new person you met?
[2007] Matthew Benjamin Villareal Caidic :)
[2006] Do I even have to say who? ;)

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007:
[2007] You're never really ready to become a parent. You'll only truly understand your mother when you become one yourself. And most importantly, the love you'll feel for your child is the most consuming. You'd want the world to be a whole lot better of a place to live in. You want to make sure they're okay. And you'd do everything you can to protect them.

[2006] We're human and we make mistakes. But what's important is that you learn from them.

What was the nicest thing someone told you about yourself?
[2007] That I'm going to be a great mom :)
[2006] You're my inspiration, babe :)

The most touching experience you've had this year?
[2007] There was one night in February when I was being my psychotic self and just got angry at him for something really petty. But we ended up patching things up and talking it out. We had to be ready to take that pretty big step of being apart from each other.

[2006] That night when we poured our heart out to each other. We promised we'd be completely honest. And because we wanted to let it all out, we did, despite how much it really hurt both of us.

What did you like most about yourself this year?
[2007] I've taken a few more big steps, and I learned to become more selfless, putting the needs of my husband and my child before me. And I've also learned how to handle money more wisely :)

[2006] I took a few really big steps this year, and I'm more honest and more trusting than ever.

What did you hate most about yourself this year?
[2007] Hmmm. Hate's such a strong word. I guess I didn't like that I gained a whole lot of weight? I'll add to this when something else comes to mind :p
[2006] No answer.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
[2007] "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are grey. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." :)

[2006] "My heart was broke, my head was sore, what a feeling. Tied up in ancient history, I didn't believe in destiny, I look up you're standing next to me, what a feeling. What a feeling in my soul, love burns brighter than sunshine, brighter than sunshine. Let the rain fall, I don't care. I'm yours and suddenly you're mine, suddenly you're mine. And it's brighter than sunshine. I never saw it happening. I'd given up and given in. I just couldn't take the hurt again, what a feeling. I didn't have the strength to fight. But suddenly you seemed so right. Me and you, what a feeling." --Aqualung's Brighter Than Sunshine

Was 2007 a good year for you?
[2007] The best year by far :)
[2006] HELL YES!!! :)

What was your favorite moment of the year?
[2007] Just one? When I finally heard my son cry while I was lying down in the Operating Room :)
[2006] No answer.

What was your least favorite moment of the year?
[2007] When my ob-gyne told me that I had to undergo a cesarean operation. I think my heart rate doubled!
[2006] No answer.

Where were you when 2007 began?
[2007] Again, at home :)
[2006] At home still.

Who were you with?
[2007] My family.
[2006] My family.

Where will you be when 2007 ends?
[2007] Supposed to be at home. But I ended up at the Emergency Room of Makati Medical Center with my parents, Kri, and my Matthew.

[2006] At home. We always spend New Year's at home :)

Who will you be with when 2007 ends?
[2007] I'm usually with my whole family. But this time, we had to "celebrate" New Year's separately.

[2006] My family. It was our craziest New Year's celebration to date! :p

Do you have a New Year's Resolution for 2008?
[2007] I'll definitely do my best to be more money-wise, especially since I'm a wife and mother now. And I'll spend as much of my time with my baby as possible :)
[2006] To travel some more! :)

What was your favorite month of 2007?
[2007] December!!! :D
[2006] December :D November comes a close second ;)

Did you lose anybody close to you in 2007?
[2007] Nope.

[2006] I finally let go of certain people from my past. I'm done. I had my fun already, and now it's time to move on.

Did you miss anybody in the past year?
[2007] I missed Mark terribly. It's amazing how we were able to go through most of the year apart :)

[2006] My girls! Last time I saw them was in May when three of them celebrated their birthdays. And my girls from my old office. I'm most definitely gonna spend more time with them this coming year.

What was your favorite record from 2007?
[2007] Hed Kandi and Baby Einstein :)
[2006] Still Hed Kandi :)

How many concerts did you see in 2007?
[2007] None. It wouldn't be fair to bombard my son in my tummy with really loud music :)

[2006] Are house parties considered as concerts? If then, there's Hed Kandi in March, Kaskade in April, and Defected in the House at the start of December :)

Did you drink a lot of alcohol in 2007?
[2007] Nope, nope, nope! Can't have even just a drop when you're pregnant :)

[2006] Surprisingly, not that much. Maybe that's why I got really hit at Defected when I only had two Vodka 7s. TWO!

You do anything you are ashamed of this year?
[2007] None :)
[2006] No answer.

How much money did you spend in 2007?
[2007] Oh my, I don't even want to know! I'd just rather not say.

[2006] I don't really compute what I spend. I think I should start doing that next year. But even if I spent way more than last year, it was most definitely well spent :)

What was your proudest moment of 2007?
[2007] I was proud of being a mom! :)

[2006] September 1 when I had my last stick of yosi and December 12 when I found out about my promotion :D

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2007?
[2007] Hmmm, can't recall one...
[2006] No answer.

If you could go back in time to any moment of 2007 and change something, what would it be?
[2007] None at all :) Of course, I'd prefer that Mark and I were together. But I wouldn't change anything else or we might not have our dear little angel with us now :)

[2006] Nothing still! :) I wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be where we are right now, if it weren't for all the decisions we made. So I would change absolutely NOTHING :D

What are your plans for 2008?
[2007] Well, I've recently taken step one, which was to resign from work so that I can focus more on my baby. It's different when you're at home. A yaya can never, ever, ever replace you. Then, I plan to have as much small projects and rackets as I can manage, so that we can be relieved of our financial burden. I can't just let Mark take all the pressure of working. Also, I want to be able to be with my son as much as possible, so I can be there for all of his firsts, and be the one to teach him everything :)

[2006] Prove to myself, to my superiors, and to the people around me that I deserve the promotion. It's a HUGE step for me and a REALLY great opportunity. I wouldn't want to let my Editor-in-chief down right? And I want to be able to visit more new places this coming year. Do I hear an out-of-the-country trip? Hehe :)

How are you different now that the year has ended?
[2007] I'm a whole lot different. I'm a wife and a mother. I've started to understand my parents and where they're coming from. I've become more patient. I've learned to get by during the day on a few hours of interrupted sleep. I'm more money-wise, which is a must! I'm different and I love it :)

[2006] I've taken more steps now. I've turned my back on my past so I can finally truly say that I'm starting with a clean slate. Though my emotions can still take the best of me, I've improved a whole lot. I'm not that hot-tempered on the road anymore, and I try not to be so impatient. I'm more in touch with my emotions and more honest about them. I've finally moved forward career-wise, and I can't wait to begin with my new tasks and assume my new responsibilities. More importantly, I'm more at peace, finally contented, and extremely happier than I have ever been. I'm actually looking forward to the future now, and not so afraid of it anymore :)

What are your wishes for the new year?
[2007] I pray that my son's health will be in tip-top shape. I pray that he outgrows everything. And I pray that God will provide and guide us always, as we raise his child :)

[2006] We're both about to begin a new stage in each other's lives. I just wish for both of us to completely trust each other, because we'll need that more than anything. I wish that we both have an even greater year ahead of us :)

WATCH ME GROW!

MY FAMILY

I've had my hands quite full since the start of December, as soon as I went on maternity leave. My husband, Mark, arrived on the afternoon of the 1st. Endless reunions, errands, check-ups, and walking around. Then, our little angel, Matthew Benjamin, arrived on the 19th. Since then, I said goodbye to uninterrupted sleep and eating on time :p Mark left again for Riyadh on the 30th. It was actually much more difficult this time, since there was a little one he had to leave behind. But we're not worried, because we know that we'll be seeing each other again soon. Nothing definite as to when or where, but we promised each other we'd do everything we can. The earliest anyway would be around late June, when Matthew's about 6 months already. I'm not so sure as to the minimum age requirement of airlines, but I don't want him to fly out too young.

Loads of stories and TONS of pictures to be posted! But I'll leave you with the gist up there first, and a couple of my favorite photos. More when I finally get to have more time to go online :) For now, I must go back to mommy duties. My precious angel's waiting :)

Mommy and Daddy watching Matthew sleep :)

One of his favorite sleeping positions! I love it when he curls up like that. It's like he's making lambing :)